Team 208
Professor Aukes
EGR 314
18 Jan 2023
Team 208 User Needs and Benchmarking
Our Process:
To complete user needs analysis, the team met online via Discord. This made sharing
screens and files easy. Then we decided that Jamboard would be used to display and consolidate
our ideas. Then each team member started to add user needs ideas to the board. No idea was
rejected at first, all team members suggested and wrote whatever need they could think of. No
team member rejected ideas at this point, this was merely to get a large pool of user needs on the
table. Then we organized all the user needs into groups. This helped to reduce the number of
repeat user needs in each category. Next, we ranked each section by how much the team valued
them. Finally, we ranked every need in each category as well. This gave us a very good idea of
what we value and absolutely need in the design.
User Needs
1. The main components need to be made of high quality materials.
2. The design needs to be comfortable for the user to wear for long periods of time.
3. Directional movement needs to be precise to prevent personal injury.
4. The total design needs to be within the budget of $240.
5. The user instructions for use must be easy to comprehend.
6. The design must be able to be used by people with limited mobility.
7. The design must be designed to prevent recurring repairs or replacement.
8. The finger coils need to be able to be removed with one hand for those with limited
mobility.
9. The design needs to have a low energy level to mitigate risk of injury.
10. Materials used must be stiff to help control muscle spasms and improve exercise
capacity.
11. The finger straps must be able to adapt to various finger sizes.
12. The design must be less than 2-3 pounds for users with limited strength.
13. The design must be small and portable.
14. The design's main components must be self-contained.
15. The design must have connections from the fingers to the wrist for controlled movement
and pressure.
16. The connection points need to avoid having any exposed wires or possible sharp edges.
17. The user must be able to grab objects while wearing the gloves.
18. The design must take into consideration various user’s levels levels of pressure or
strength.
19. The design must take into consideration various user’s levels of flexion and extension
movements.
20. The design needs to allow for stretching and flexing movements to prevent stiffness.
21. The design must allow for individual finger movements.
22. The design must offer a stabilizer to offset tremors and shaking.
23. The design must be rechargeable.
24. The design must be able to be maintained at a low cost.
25. The design needs to control stiffness through pressure control.
26. The design must be accessible to all age groups and levels of education.
27. The design must be able to withstand 2-4 hours of daily use.
28. The design needs to offer a passive movement to help improve muscle strength and aid
recovery.
29. The design needs to avoid sharp edges to prevent injury to the user.
30. The pressure sensor must be designed to prevent force that could cause injury to the user
and others.
31. Instructions must be precise and able to be understood by an elementary reading level.
32. Any materials touching the user must be made of medical grade materials.
33. Materials touching the user must not cause increased humidity while wearing to prevent
chafing or damage to the user’s skin.
34. The pressure sensor must be able to react and retract finger coils in under 3 seconds.
35. The design must use at least one motor controlled by a motor controller communicating
over the I2C or SPI-based protocol.
36. The design must incorporate at least two external environmental serial sensors.
37. The design must incorporate easy to understand visual indicators.
38. Indicators must be noticeable at all times, and in all weather conditions
39. The glove should include a sensor that shows the user how much pressure they are
exerting.
40. The device should help the user sense fluctuations in temperature to prevent injury.
41. The device should help stabilize vibrations in the glove to help regulate pressure.
42. The product can display on-screen feedback from users after use.
43. Should come with everything needed to operate the device.
44. Designers need to understand the center of gravity of the product in the prototype to
prevent user fatigue and other discomforts in the process of use.
45. Product design should take into account the size of the user's hand, or have stretchable
materials to facilitate wearing.
46. The operating temperature of the components should be clearly understood before
designing the product.
47. The design should not be complex to use.
48. The design should offer stabilization to help maintain hand control.
49. The internal components should be able to withstand heat to prevent injury.
50. Products should have a certain impact resistance to prevent damage caused by excessive
collisions.
51. Designers need to understand the center of gravity of the product in the prototype to
prevent user fatigue and other discomforts in the process of use.
52. Should be designed to be manufactured for either the right or left hand.
53. Any balloon or enclosed air should be resistant to leaks and sharp objects.
54. The product can display the remaining power on the screen.
55. The battery capacity should be sufficient to support the user's daily use for a long time.
56. Design product features that can be easily accepted by the user's target.
57. The working principle does not need to be too complicated to facilitate the production
and subsequent repair of the product.
58. The service life of the product should be within the user's ability to accept.
59. After the product stops working, the finger movement joints controlled by each part
should be returned to the normal position to prevent injury.
60. In the event of a product failure, the entire circuit system needs to have an emergency
treatment plan.
Benchmarking
Our Process:
The team met on Discord again to do the benchmarking. First we agreed that we would
look up ideas relating to Parkinson’s or nerve damage therapy relating to the hand. This
produced a few different products that the team thought were interesting and helpful. We
analyzed the positive and negative comments on each product to get more user needs directly
from users.
Search #1
Keywords: Parkinson, grip, sensor
Search Results Link: Here
Selected Products
1. Steadi-Two: Tremor Reducing Glove
Price: $649.00
Vendor: Steadi-Wear
Description: The Steadi-Two is a ground-breaking glove designed to significantly reduce
your hand tremor in Essential tremor.
Steadi-Two key features:
Provides INSTANT stability to your tremor.
NO batteries or charging required.
Lightweight: The device weighs under 1lb.
Positive Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
The Steadi-Two has really helped her.
Anything that helps to reduce her tremor
makes her feel better about herself, and that
makes me feel better.”
1. The device inspires confidence
(Explicit)
2. Sense of independence ( Latent)
3. Peace of mind for family (Explicit)
“I have just spent a month with the new
Steadi-Two glove and I am delighted. It is
light, very effective, easy to put on and take
off and I could wear it for hours with no
problem.”
1. The device is very simple to use
(Explicit)
2. Comfortable to wear ( Explicit)
3. No adverse impact on day to functions
(Latent)
“When I put [the glove] on, I had a lot of good
relief as far as being able to drink without
spilling all over myself, and eat”
1. The device makes it easy to do simple
life tasks. ( Explicit)
2. Prevents messes from happening
(Explicit)
3. Less stress ( Latent)
Negative Comments (Original Version )
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“The original version was limited to
certain tremor types”
1. Offers no support for certain
conditions (Explicit)
2. More of a hindrance to non-covered
users (Latent)
3. Not listed conditions covered (Latent)
“Original version was to large”
1. Could not fit everybody (Explicit)
2. Limited to certain customers (Explicit)
3. Complicated to use (Latent)
“Original version was to heavy”
1. Harder to use (Explicit)
2. Not user-friendly (Explicit)
3. Not compatible with all users (
Explicit)
Search #2
Keywords: Parkinson, grip, gyroscope
Search Results Link: Here
Selected Products
2. GYENNO Parkinson Spoon and Fork
Price: $259.00
Vendor: Amazon
Description: GYENNO Spoon for hand tremorSteady helps people with eat more
easily. Steady is designed to counteract tremors and shaky hands that may be related to
conditions like Parkinson's disease or essential tremor.
Positive Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“Love the spoon part. In the mornings my
shakes can be real bad,and the spoon
with the little lip holds my cheerios in
the spoon 99% of the time. The handle
takes get use to hold, still working on
that. Over all I like it. I would rate it
4.5 out of 5.”
1. Lip holds food in (Explicit)
2. Enjoyable to use ( Explicit)
3. Modular (Explicit)
My 80 year old husband has tremors to both
hands. Intensity varies from mild to severe
depending upon the day. With this adaptive
1. Can be used with varying severity of
tremors (Explicit)
2. No messes (Explicit)
eating utensil, he can get foods to his mouth
without spilling. He found the device easy
to operate. The fork was a big plus.’
3. Ease of use ( Explicit)
“Had an issue with a magnet in fork,
contacted the company. They were
very responsive. We got new utensils
within 3 weeks. Very happy and works
well for my husband.”
1. Company was responsive to customer
inquiries ( Explicit)
2. Counteracts tremors (Latent)
3. Magnet works well (Explicit)
Negative Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“Do not purchase this useless thing. Far,
far too complicated and unusable for
anyone, much less elderly.”
1. Not worth the price ( Explicit)
2. Complicated ( Explicit)
3. Not user-friendly (Explicit)
“The spoon and fork are made of very
fragile plastic material. How long will
it last? It is very difficult to get used to
this condition. Money thrown away.”
1. Easily breakable (Explicit)
2. Not user friendly ( Explicit)
3. Not worth amount paid for( Explicit)
“I really need these eating utensils for my
tremors, but your many misspellings in
your description scares me about how
reliable you are as a seller.”
1. Suspicion of seller (Explicit)
2. Concerns about reliability of product
(Latent)
3. Lack of transparency ( Latent)
Search #3
Keywords: gloves to help post stroke
Search Results Link: Here
Selected Products
3.XUETAO Rehabilitation Robot Gloves
Price: $189.00
Vendor: Amazon
Description: It has a half cut design features, a wrist extension exerciser can be worn
comfortably on wrists and finger, Suitable for finger work habits. Inhibit the fingers of
the finger stroke or rheumatism rheumatoid arthritis deformation, prevent the fingers
bend spasm or atrophy.
Positive Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
So my Mom has had weakness in her left
side for a while. She didn't think this
glove was really going to do anything
she hadn't already been doing. We
started out on the auto exercise for 5
minutes a day on her left hand. It's
hard for her to get her left hand to do
anything, it doesn't mind and kind of
gets grabby on its own.
After a few days of using this device,
Mom found herself reaching for an
object with her left hand, just using the
power of her mind - you know, like
your body should! Every movement
she has to do needs to be so mindful,
so her brain thinking "I want that
object" and sending her left hand,
which was closest, to get it is an
absolute breakthrough!
The glove works through air pressure to
make your hand open and close. It
doesn't feel weird when it does it, and
she really likes that it makes her
fingers extend, since that's also an
exercise she doesn't do often anymore.
You can adjust the intensity, the
pressure, and even use the other glove
on your right hand to send messages to
the left on what you would like it to
do.
Obviously, your mileage may vary.
Everyone works at their own pace and
can only do what they can, but I see
how this device can help people
relearn to use their hand. She'll never
be 100%, but every little bit counts.”
1. The device uses a comfortable amount
of pressure to provoke exercise.
(explicit)
2. The glove forces the user to extend
and retract fingers to promote
movement in limbs. (explicit)
3. The device teaches the user how to
“reuse” their hands to grab objects
through movement exercises and
pressure regulation. (latent)
“What I love about this robot glove is how
straight forward it is to use. The
different modes and intensity level can
1. The device allows for various levels of
intensity. (explicit)
2. The device is portable and can be used
easily be changed via the control
monitor (orange box). Air pressure can
be turned off to a particular finger by
the white valves on the glove which
makes it easy to isolate a particular
finger or fingers for training. What I
really love the most is the mirror
training glove, genius. The mirror
glove is worn on the non-training
hand. When I clench the mirror glove
and press a button it mimics this
movement on the robot glove. This is
great for trying to retrain your hand
and stimulate movement. The glove
works by air compression and is a bit
on the loud side when the orange box
is pumping air. The control box is
cordless so can be taken anywhere
without having to rely on an outlet. I
appreciate the fact that they actually
included a AC USB charger and
cable.”
anywhere. (explicit)
3. The glove allows for isolation to focus
on finger training. (explicit)
“All other sellers were showing delivery
2+ months later and at higher price. I
took a chance here with only 2 review.
I am very pleasantly surprised with
quick delivery. The product works
amazingly well for my brother who
suffered a stroke and can’t move left
arm/fingers. Even the doctors, nurses
and the physical therapists at the
hospital are amazed when they see my
brother using it while admitted. It’s
really helping with his rehabilitation.I
am in tech, and am super impressed
that someone developed this.”
1. The device helps provide relief.
(latent)
2. Provides help with rehabilitation.
(explicit)
3. The device is portable and can be used
in hospital settings. (latent)
Negative Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“Video instructions did not show the
proper size or placement to put the
glove on. After my stroke it leaves
your hand unable to put it on, both
constricted or paralysis, with your
1. The directions should be thorough.
(explicit)
2. The device should be accessible for
those with handicaps. (latent)
3. The device should be easy to put on
other hand alone. Tried out both.”
with one hand. (latent)
It’s a nice product, I guess because I
never got to use it. They didn’t
describe the sizing correctly and
therefore, they size I bought was
WAY too big for my son.”
1. The design should allow for various
sizes. (latent)
2. The design must instate the size of
hand it is designed for. (explicit)
3. The design should fit the hands of a
child or an adult. (latent)
“Incredible product. If you think about the
fact that you're paying to give
someone their hand back, it is
absolutely worth it.
However when you see it, all this is is the
pump from a blood pressure cuff
hooked to a glove with some tubing.
There is absolutely no reason why this
costs $200. This product could change
the lives of millions if it were priced
more reasonably.”
1. Too expensive (explicit)
2. The design is not well made. (latent)
3. The design should offer more options
to the user for the price. (latent)
Search #4
Keywords: healthcare hand Robot
Search Results Link: Here
Selected Products Neuromodulation Tremor Device Set
4.
Price: $239
Vendor: Baldoni Neuromodulation
Description:
Effective only for left hand hand-initiated tremors
Works like a gyroscope to stabilize hand tremor motion
Helps with eating and writing and Quiet enough to watch TV
Weighs the same as a weighted glove at 0.65 lb
Positive Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“A family member uses this as therapy for
his hands after a stroke. He has used
other machines, but has not had the
results as he had after using this
machine after such a short time. He
has more feeling and control in his
affected arm and fingers. I wish I had
1. Rapid treatment effect of the
machine.(latent)
2. The device is easy to put on. (explicit)
3. No need to use separate batteries.
(explicit)
purchased this item sooner. It is easy
for him to put on even without the full
use of his affected hand. Another plus
is that it is not battery operated so we
do not spend extra money on
purchasing batteries.”
I ordered this glove for my dad that had
the worst kind of stroke that paralyzed
his right side. We have been working
with him to wake up his brain, muscles
and nerves a little over a month now
with no improvement in his hand. We
received the glove on Tuesday and by
Thursday dad was able to wiggle his
fingers. I am a true believer that this
glove works! So impressed with this
product.
1. The guidance according to the
measurement instructions still leads
the user to purchase the wrong size.
(explicit)
2. Can work as introduced in the
promotional image. (latent)
3. The device can offer rehabilitation
improvement. (latent)
So far my mom has been pleased using
this product! She understands it's not
meant to "cure the tremors but it
definitely does calm them down.
1. The point is not to treat tremors, but it
does help stabilize the hands of
Parkinson's patients. (explicit)
2. Offers stabilization properties. (latent)
3. Comfortable to wear for periods of
time. (latent)
Negative Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“This product would be awesome if the
glove stayed on my hand...it addresses
hand only and does not offer support
for wrist...I have long fingers and a
slim hand, ordered large size for my
finger length...product worked its way
off with every use starting with pinky
then thumb...I have left side
hemiparesis maybe it's more useful for
hand injuries only...”
1. Wrong size (explicit)
2. For hands only, no wrist support
(explicit)
3. Only for finger injuries (explicit)
“Size not as advertised, takes a long time,
it is too early to tell if it works.When
you want the exercise to start, press
the play button in the bottom right
corner. It took me a while to figure
that out since are a little confusing.”
1. Wrong size (explicit)
2. Hands-on difficulty is relatively high,
User needs to slowly practice to adapt.
(latent)
3. You do not know if they can really be
treated. (explicit)
Search #5
Keywords: rehab glove
Search Results Link: Here
Selected Products Neofect Extender
5.
Price: $57.90
Vendor: Amazon
Description: Passive resistance rehabilitation gloves.
Positive Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“Been looking off & on for something like
this for fingers curling. A little tricky
to thread all curled fingers in at first
but saw results after only a few uses. I
can now insert those now straighter
fingers without using my good hand to
guide them in. Sizing guide was spot
on, snug at first that resulted in a
perfect "break in" fit. I wish I could
leave more than five stars.”
1. The glove should fit comfortably
(explicit)
2. The glove should be adjustable (latent)
3. Instructions should be clear (latent)
“I got it for my brother, he had a
motorcycle accident and was left with
spasticity as sequel. He likes the way it
1. The glove should increase hand
functionality (explicit)
2. The glove should fit all types of hands
fits and is also happy because it allows
him to perform more tasks with his
right hand.”
(latent)
3. Should passively operate without
supervision (latent)
“Nerve damage in hand after spinal
surgery left hand and clenched
position helps straightening fingers all
the doctors and therapist who saw this
glove loved it”
1. Healthcare workers should be able to
easily use/store/maintain it (latent)
2. Should provide relief of ailment
(latent)
3. Should be medical grade (latent)
Negative Comments
Voice of the Customer
Restated Customer Need
“Extremely big!! The description says
s/m/l but when I received the item the
package said one size fits all. And that
was more of an accurate description of
the item. Didn’t fit my child size hands
lol if I knew it was one size fits all I
would’ve never bought this item. I did
send it back and got my refund”
1. Glove should work for all ages
(explicit)
2. Use instructions and product
specifications should be clear (latent)
3. Should be adjustable (latent)
“It's important to understand that without
proper occupational therapy training
and the assistance of a portable stim
device, this glove is of little help. You
must have structured, professional OT
sessions to make this work. Otherwise,
it's just a neoprene glove with a bunch
of fancy straps on it.”
1. Device should be easy to use (explicit)
2. Device should come with everything
needed to operate (latent)
3. Shouldn’t need professional help to
operate (latent)
“The glove came apart and straps came
lose , it is very cheaply made not good
at all! Would not purchase any thing
like this anymore on line. It is not
worth the money that they charged for
it. It is a rip off! Don't buy!! (O) star
rating!”
1. The device should be made of durable
materials (explicit)
2. The device should be made of cheap
materials (latent)
3. The device should communicate
clearly exactly what it does (latent)
Organizing Need Statements
Initial Notes:
Grouped Notes:
Key:
Color
Meaning
Yellow
100 User Needs
Blue
Category
Ranked Notes:
Key:
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
Very Important
Important
Less Important
Product Requirements
Our Process:
The team decided that each major category of the product requirements will just be the
major categories that our user needs are organized into. These groups are not the suggested
groups, but we felt like these will better inform our design based on our user needs. This will
make it easier to both rank and generate the product requirements. The product requirement list
below is organized from the most important major category at the top and least at the bottom.
Within each category the top most product requirement is the most important of that category.
Stakeholders:
Target Users: People with nerve damage or limited mobility in the hand.
Target Purchasers: This can be the target user directly or healthcare professionals for use in a
facility.
Sponsor and Advisors: ASU acts as a financial sponsor. EGR314 and Professor Aukes act as
advisors to the final product.
Use Cases:
Case #1: Mrs. Haro has nerve damage in her right hand. This has left her without the ability to
gauge her grip strength or feel anything in her hand for that matter. She decides to try out a new
therapeutic device. It's a glove that allows her to know her grip strength in her right hand. This
not only gives her more confidence and functionality in her hand, but also a mind-body
relationship with her grip strength as well. A temperature sensor is integrated into the product so
she doesn’t burn her hand on her hot coffee cup.
Case #2: Mr. Jacobs got in a car accident recently and is recovering from his injuries. His left
hand is weak and suffers from clawing. A healthcare professional decides that a new therapeutic
machine is best for his physical therapy. The new machine allows his hand to strengthen and
accurately grip objects again. The data from the machine is sent via wi-fi to the hospital server.
Mr. Jacobs doctor, after seeing the data, decides Jacobs is ready for stronger resistance on the
machine. The doctor plugs into the machine and alters the resistance via PuTTY motor control.
Jacobs recovers in a few weeks and no longer needs the machine to gauge his grip strength.
Aspects:
1. Safety (***):
1.1) The product’s structural components must not pinch, cut, or injure the user.
1.2) The product should be made out of regulatory compliant and sterile materials.
1.3) All electrical components should be sealed, hidden, or inaccessible to the user.
1.4) A temperature sensor should sense if the user is holding something hot.
1.5) The product should generally move slowly and not require high voltages, this will
keep total energy low.
2. Ease of Use (***):
2.1) The product should be able to be used by any type of user regardless of age, hand
size, strength, or mobility.
2.2) The product should adjust to fit any user.
2.3) Using the product should be easy to understand and use.
2.4) The multiple indicators on the product should not be loud or annoying, but still
noticeable and understandable to the user.
2.5) The product should be easy to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and clean.
3. Functionality (**):
3.1) The product will sense and relay the temperature of a gripped object and the grip
strength force in real time.
3.2) The product will use a motor to resist user grip strength if it exceeds an acceptable
limit in real time.
3.3) The product should be less than $240 and affordable for the average user.
3.4) The product should be therapeutic for the user and slowly increase hand functionality
over time.
4. Electronics (**):
4.1) All electronics should meet the requirements for EGR314.
4.2) The product should have enough power for at least 2-4 hours of use.
4.3) The power supply should be completely internal or supplied by a USB-c connection.
4.4) The product should respond to sensor data in an accurate, fast, and controlled
manner.
5. Durability (*):
5.1) The product should be water, heat, and impact resistant.
5.2) The product should be made out of durable materials for a long product lifespan.
5.3) The product should utilize easily replaceable parts.
5.4) Any balloon or enclosed air pocket should be puncture resistant.
6. Comfort (*):
6.1) The product should be comfortable and should not chafe during extended use.
6.2) The product should be able to fit most size hands.
7. Misc. (*):
7.1) Amount of remaining power should be visible to the user.
7.2) The product life cycle should be considered when designing the product.
7.3) A screen should communicate data and information to the user.
7.4) The product should be stylish for the user.